Disk for ski pole

ABSTRACT

A disk for a ski pole is formed from four generally cloverleafshaped vanes mounted on a ring which is limitedly swivelable on the stem of the pole near its pointed lower end, the vanes being individually pivoted to that ring for swinging downwardly under a load of snow into a limiting position in which they may form a generally frustopyramidal structure. The vanes, when unloaded, may be retracted by a spring into a coplanar position perpendicular to the ring axis.

United States Patent Hinterholzer Feb. 29, 1972 [54] DISK FOR SKI POLE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Hans Hinlerholzer, Salzburg, Austria 241,319 7/1965 Austria ..280/1 1.37 BR 846,031 5/1939 France ..280/11.37 BR [73] Assignee: lntamin A. G., Zurich, Switzerland 3.807 1934 Italy 280/1137 BR 22 Filed; Sept 15 19 9 154,852 6/1956 Sweden ..280/1 [.37 BR [21] Appl. No.: 858,026 Primary Examiner--Kenneth H. Betts Assistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith A r ---1( l 301 Foreign Application Priority mm F Rm Sept. 16, 1968 Austria ..A 8986/68 [571 ABSTRACT A disk for a ski pole is formed from four generally cloverleaf- [52] [1.8. CI ..280/ll.37 Z shaped vanes mounted on a ring which is limitedly swivelable [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 11/24 on the stem of the pole near its pointed lower end, the vanes [58] Field of Search ..280/11.37 being individually pivoted. to that ring for swinging downwardly under a load of snow into a limiting position in [56] References Cited which they may form a generally frustopyramidal structure. The vanes, when unloaded, may be retracted by a spring into a UNITED STATES PATENTS coplanar position perpendicular to the ring axis.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3,645,553

2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.5

FIG.6 I9

5 II 5 m I? 6 Ham Hlntarholzor mvsm-on Pdtented Feb. 29, 1912 3,645,553

2 Sheets-Sheet z 3/ 30 T 25' I 6| n 6 Q H I l 1 \l 27 1 Hans Hinhrholzor INVENTOR BY p A Home? DISK ron SKI POLE My present invention relates to a ski pole.

Conventional ski poles are provided with a stem having a pointed lower end and a disk near that point surrounding the stem to form a large-area supporting surface when the skier thrusts the pole into the snow. Since the pole may be held at differentangles when so used, the disk should be at least limitedly swivelable in every axial plane so as to orient itself parallel to the snow or ice surface for maximum support. On the other hand, the disk should be so designed that a load of snow resting on it, upon upward withdrawal of the pole, can readily slide off so as to reduce the effective weight of the disk.

The general object of my present inventionis to provide a ski pole of simple construction satisfying the aforestated desiderata.

This object is realized, pursuant to my present invention, by the provision of a multiplicity (at least three and preferably four) of generally radially extending vanes surrounding the lower end of the stem with freedom of independent swingingv between a substantially coplanar position, generally transverse to the stem, and a downwardly deflected position which the vanes can assume under load so as to discharge any snow or ice entrained by the disk which these vanes define. For this purpose, the vanes are pivotally secured to a mounting which advantageously takes the form of an annular holder limitedly swivelable about a median position perpendicular to the stem, this swivelability being attained by supporting the holder on a spherically curved boss forming therewith a universal joint or, more simply, by providing the stem with two axially spaced collars bracketing the holder with small clearance.

With vanes of generally trapezoidal configuration, the outwardly diverging sides of the several trapezoids may be closely juxtaposed in this deflected position of the vanes to define a substantially frustopyramidal structure. With four vanes the 7 disk then assumes ashape similar to that of a four-leaf clover.

The vanes and their mounting are provided with cooperating formations which prevent them from swinging upwardly beyond their normal, substantially coplanar position andifrom swinging'downwardly beyond a predetermined deflected position. Biasing means, such as a contractile band engaging hookshaped spurs rigid with the vanes, may be provided for urging the'vanes into a coplanar position. i

The above and other features of my invention will be described in'greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a face view of a four-vane disk for a ski pole according to the invention, showing the vanes extended;

FIG. 2 is a'fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line II'--II of FIG. 1, showing part of one vane in "its. deflected position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating a modification;

FIG. 4 is-an enlarged face view of a universal joint supporting the vanes of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section, of one of the vanes of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective end view of part of the vane-of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is-a view similar to FIG. 1, showing an alternate'embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIIIVIII of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG.- 8, illustrating a further modification;

In FIGS. 1 and 2 I have shown the lower part of a ski pole including a stem 14 which, near its pointed bottom end (cf. FIGS. 8 and 9), is surrounded by a ring 2 forming auniversal joint with a part-spherical-boss 15 received in the similarly curved central bore 1 of the ring. Either or each of the elements 2 and 15 may consist of slightly deformable resinous material to facilitate their relatively swivelable interengagement.

The ring -2 serves as a holder for four radially extending vanes 6 of Cloverleaf shape, spaced 90 apart and terminating at their inner ends in pairs of transversely spaced loops 8 (see also FIG. 5) which straddle respective lugs 3 integral with ring 2. The lugs 3 (see also FIG. 4) project radially outwardly from flat faces 4 of the ring 2 and are received in clearances 7 between the paired loops 8 which, as seen in FIG. 5, are open at 9 to facilitate the insertion of respective studs 5 projecting laterally from the lugs 3. The studs 5 may be molded in one piece with the lugs 3 of ring 2 or, as shown, may consist of pins traversing these lugs.

As also best seen in FIG. 5, each vane 6 is provided with a flat face 12 perpendicular to its top surface 11 and adjoining the corresponding facet 4 of ring 2, these faces 12 merging into an arcuately curved lower surface centered on the axis of studs 5. In the horizontal vane position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, face 12 comes to rest against the flat 4 of holding ring 2 so as to prevent any further upward swing of the vane. On the other hand, a tongue 17 bridging the two loops 8 of the vane and depending therefrom in the normal position (FIG. 5)

comes to rest against the ring 2 when the vane is swung downwardly into the position shown in FIG. 2, thus through an angle of somewhat less than 90. This deflected position, which each vane may assume independently, allows any load of snow, ice or soil to slide off the vane as the pole is extracted from a snow layer into which it has been pushed. It will be apparent that the four vanes 6, when occupying the deflected position of FIG. 2, together define a four-sided frustopyramidal structure. As the outer edges 19 of the vanes are upturned, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the vanes are evenly spread apart when the'user thrusts the pole into the snow; this spreading effect is further enhanced by a central undulation 18 provided in the blade edge 19 (see FIG. 6).

Advantageously, the vanes 6 are also made of somewhat resilient resinous material so that the studs 5 may readily snap into the loops 8 to form the hinged connection with ring 2. The entire assembly 2, 6 is limitedly swivelable on boss 15, the maximum angle of tilt being determined by a collar 32 on stem 14 (FIG. 2) forming an abutment for the undersurface of ring FIG. 3 shows amodified joint with a generally toroidal boss 15', symmetrical with reference to a transverse plane 20, which is integralwitha tilt-limiting collar 32'. In this case, of course, the bore of ring 2 conforms to the spherically curved outer peripheral surface 16 of boss 15'.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 I have shown a modified disk consisting of four vanes 6 which are removably secured by fasteners 27, here shown as screws, to respective supporting arms 21 hinged via pins 24 to lugs .23 of a spherically curved rubber boss 25. The innerend of each arm 21 has an arcuate curvature similar to thatof lugs 8, FIG. 5, and terminates in a flat face bearing upon the boss 25 in the illustrated extended position of these arms to prevent a furtheroutward swing of the vanes 6'. The

' downward swing of the vanes is limited by the frustoconical shape of the lower part of the boss although, in this case, an individual vane could-be deflected through an angle greater than A set of radialstrips22 overlie the vanes 6' to which they are secured by the bolts 27; these strips terminate at their inner ends in hook-shapedspurs 26 which are embraced by a contractile band 28 of rubber or other resilient material encircling the stem 14. Thus, the tension of band 28 biases the strips 22and, with them, the arms 21 and the vanes 6 toward their coplanar extended position illustrated in the drawing; the vanes, accordingly, will occupy that position whenever not encumbered by snowor ice, suchencumbrancesliding readily off the vanesin their deflected state.

According to the modification of FIG. 9, a mounting ring 25' is bracketed with small axial clearance by the aforedescribed collar 32 and a second, similar collar 33 overlying the ring. In this'instance the hooks 26' are formed integral with the vanes6' themselves, rather than with overlying strips 22 as in FIGS. 7 and 8. These hooks and their encircling band-28 are encased. in a protective cap 30 of resilient material suspended froma collar 31 onstem 1'4. Naturally, such a cap could .also be provided in the preceding embodiment where, if desired, the hooks 26 could also be made in one piece with the vanes as shown in FIG. 9.

lclaim: l. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower'end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for.independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stern and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said holder being limitedly swivelable on said stem about a median position perpendicular to the stem.

2. A ski pole as defined in claim 1, further comprising a boss secured to said stem, said holder embracing said boss along a spherically curved contact surface.

3. A ski pole as defined in claim '1, further comprising a pair of axially spaced collars on said stem bracketing said holder with small clearance.

4. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said vanes being of generally trapezoidal configuration with outwardly diverging sides closely juxtaposed in said deflected position to form a substantially frustopyramidal structure, said vanes being substantially flat with upturned outer edges.

5. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said holder having a substantially circular outer periphery with angularly equispaced flats constituting part of said cooperating formations and with lugs projecting radially from said flats in pivotal engagement with respective vanes.

6. A ski pole as defined in claim 5, further comprising a pair of lateral studs on each of said lugs and open loops integral with said vanes partly embracing said studs.

7. A ski pole as defined in claim 5, wherein said holder has a body of elastic material.

8. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said sub-- stantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said vanes terminatin in hooks proximal to said stem; and a resilient band encirc mg said stem and inter-linking all said hooks for biasing said vanes into said substantially coplanar position.

9. A ski pole as defined in claim 8, further comprising a protective cap on said stem enveloping said hooks and said band. 

1. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said holder being limitedly swivelable on said stem about a median position perpendicular to the stem.
 2. A ski pole as defined in claim 1, further comprising a boss secured to said stem, said holder embracing said boss along a spherically curved contact surface.
 3. A ski pole as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of axially spaced collars on said stem bracketing said holder with small clearance.
 4. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said vanes being of generally trapezoidal configuration with outwardly diverging sides closely juxtaposed in said deflected position to form a substantially frustopyramidal structure, said vanes being substantially flat with upturned outer edges.
 5. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formAtions for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said holder having a substantially circular outer periphery with angularly equispaced flats constituting part of said cooperating formations and with lugs projecting radially from said flats in pivotal engagement with respective vanes.
 6. A ski pole as defined in claim 5, further comprising a pair of lateral studs on each of said lugs and open loops integral with said vanes partly embracing said studs.
 7. A ski pole as defined in claim 5, wherein said holder has a body of elastic material.
 8. A ski pole comprising a stem with a point at its lower end; an annular holder traversed by said lower end; and a multiplicity of generally radially extending vanes surrounding said lower end near said point, said vanes having hinged inner extremities pivotally secured to said holder for independent swinging about substantially horizontal axes between a substantially coplanar position generally transverse to said stem and a downwardly deflected position, said holder and said vanes being provided with cooperating formations for preventing an upward swing of said vanes beyond said substantially coplanar position and a downward swing thereof beyond said deflected position, said vanes terminating in hooks proximal to said stem; and a resilient band encircling said stem and interlinking all said hooks for biasing said vanes into said substantially coplanar position.
 9. A ski pole as defined in claim 8, further comprising a protective cap on said stem enveloping said hooks and said band. 